Green River to receive an economic boost

The Emery County Commission approved the development lease between SITLA and Emery County for the property located west of Green River which will become the industrial park. This approval could give Green River the economic boost it's been waiting for. This industrial park is being developed at no cost to the tax payers. The archaeology study is complete and paid for by industry. The county has also filed for an EDA grant of $1.7 million which would be used for infrastructure development. The industries looking to place a business at the park will help with the expenses of developing a road. Green River City has also been consulted on the running of a water line to the property. More discussion will be held on this as the project moves forward. One benefit from the industrial park would be a tax base should Green River City enact a property tax. "We want to strengthen Green River and bring it back to life. Workers bring in money," said Mike McCandless, economic development director.

Mayor Brady encouraged the commission to approve the lease. He said the economy of Green River needs a boost, the city has concerns, but without an economic base there will be no money for improvements in Green River.

Kofford commended McCandless for the job he has done with the industrial park. A hearing will be held on Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. in Green River City Hall by the county planning and zoning commission to hear the proposal for rezoning the industrial park from grazing, recreation and mining to industrial. McCandless said there are other projects that are quicker that are also looking at the industrial park, one of them is a manufacturing business which is looking to relocate from the Wasatch Front area.

The commission approved a fee waiver for the building permit for the children's justice center which will be built in Castle Dale. This is a municipal building authority project which will then rent the building to the state for use as a children's The Emery County Commission approved the development lease between SITLA and Emery County for the property located west of Green River which will become the industrial park. This approval could give Green River the economic boost it's been waiting for. This industrial park is being developed at no cost to the tax payers. The archaeology study is complete and paid for by industry. The county has also filed for an EDA grant of $1.7 million which would be used for infrastructure development. The industries looking to place a business at the park will help with the expenses of developing a road. Green River City has also been consulted on the running of a water line to the property. More discussion will be held on this as the project moves forward. One benefit from the industrial park would be a tax base should Green River City enact a property tax. "We want to strengthen Green River and bring it back to life. Workers bring in money," said Mike McCandless, economic development director.

Mayor Brady encouraged the commission to approve the lease. He said the economy of Green River needs a boost, the city has concerns, but without an economic base there will be no money for improvements in Green River.

Kofford commended McCandless for the job he has done with the industrial park. A hearing will be held on Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. in Green River City Hall by the county planning and zoning commission to hear the proposal for rezoning the industrial park from grazing, recreation and mining to industrial. McCandless said there are other projects that are quicker that are also looking at the industrial park, one of them is a manufacturing business which is looking to relocate from the Wasatch Front area.

The commission approved a fee waiver for the building permit for the children's justice center which will be built in Castle Dale. This is a municipal building authority project which will then rent the building to the state for use as a children's justice center. The house will be located across from the high school and will look like a residential home.

The commission waived the fee for Huntington City for a garage they are building at the rodeo grounds.

Glen Dale Johnson spoke before the commission, he requested the county's help in purchasing a van for the boys and girls club in Green River. Green River Mayor Pat Brady said Green River City puts money in the community center budget each year. "They do a wonderful job with our youth," said Brady. Community Center board member Blaine Evans said the Boys and Girls Club of Green River ran a summer program which just concluded: students were taught the basics of horse back riding, life skills as well as math and reading programs. Also included in the summer program was the opportunity for field trips and recreation. The van is needed for field trips as the present van is worn out. Field trips included going to the dinosaur digs and other sights. "It's a 100 miles whenever we go anywhere because of where Green River is located," said Evans.

Commissioner Gary Kofford said it is a worthy project and the standard donation is $250. They will take the item under advisement and see if it can be worked into the budget for next year. Right now a new bus is being purchased for the senior citizens and the old van might be useful to the community center. The commissioners will look into the matter to see what can be done to help the community center.

Under the citizen concerns portion of the meeting the Green River citizens expressed concern about losing their judge with the recent retirement of Judge Burns. The position is not being filled and Judge Steven Stream will take care of the Green River Justice Court duties.

Jeff Horrocks said he and Commissioner Kofford have agreed to disagree about a judge in Green River. For now they will wait and see how things go and when the full commission is back they will address the matter at that time.

Mayor Brady said Green River would appreciate having a judge who is part of the Green River community. He also requested that more programs be available on the Green River side of the county. Green River citizens have to travel to the other side of the county for programs which is time consuming and costly.

Karen Silliman from the Green River City Council wondered what the county had planned for the old senior citizens center building. Commissioner Kofford said he offered the building to Green River City two years ago and at that time they declined. "If you want it, then draft a letter saying you want the building," said Kofford, "It is expensive to operate and there isn't any parking. It's a commercial building in a residential area and it has its problems."

Kofford noted that any remodels and upgrades would need asbestos removal and the city would be responsible for any and all repairs and bringing the building up to code and in line with Green River City codes.

Joni Pace from the Green River Community Center wondered what would happen to the kitchen supplies from the old senior center. Kofford said the senior center had taken their tables and chairs and utensils, but any excess items could be donated to the community center.

Also under citizen concerns, Judy Ann Scott said the lawns aren't being taken care of at the Emery County Housing Authority houses. She wondered if adequate inspections were taking place. Part of the rent money is supposed to go into a fund for inspection and maintenance. It was brought up that in trying to find out who was in charge of the properties, they were directed to the Moab office.

There were several requests for ambulance abatements. The commission determined they would abate half of the ambulance fee for two county residents and the rest of the requests would not be granted and must be paid in full.

Ray Petersen requested the commissioners approve the request to acquire a patent with the BLM for land that includes a portion of the MK tunnels. The Division of Oil, Gas and Mining has come up with a closure procedure for the tunnels. Many will be filled in and some gated. They are a safety hazard. Some will be sealed with cinder blocks and some with bat grates which will still allow movement by bats into the tunnels. The gates will be recessed to allow visitors to enter a small distance and view the tunnels. One of the tunnels is still in very good shape and it is this one the public lands council has requested be left open. In order for that to take place, a patent on the land would need to be issued to Emery County. The county would take over this land where the tunnel is located. There are also funds available to install a kiosk at the tunnels to explain their history and significance. The tunnel the county wants is 300 feet long and 6-8 feet in height and is in good condition. The commissioners approved the request to pursue a patent for this land with the BLM.

The commission approved improvements at the sheriff's gun range. A fence is needed to protect the range and the targets and equipment there.

In discussing Judge Stream's travel to Green River the commission decided they will have a county car made available for him to avoid paying mileage.

In personnel matters the commission approved the hiring of Shannon Hiatt as the aquatic center manager. They approved Jim Gordon as the ambulance supervisor. The county will begin recruitment for lifeguards for the pool and a janitor for the Emery library.

The commission approved some change orders for the pool for grout work and ground work in the parking lot.

In the commissioners reports Kofford said they had attended UCEP meetings for risk management. The Green River Center just had its grand opening and all items left to be finished will be completed in the next 10 days.

Horrocks reported the board of equalization for Green River was held prior to commission meeting. He said it is estimated the contractors with the pool will be ready to turn the building over on Sept. 13. There has been a problem with the heating units that set the pool back a week. Horrocks said the school will be able to have a swim team and the aquatics center will be a real asset to the community.

County Attorney Blackwell said he met with the nursing home board to clarify procedures. The board wants to meet with the commissioners to go over tweaking their bylaws to include approval by the commissioners on contracts and other such items.

The next commission meeting will be on Sept. 2 in Castle Dale at 9 a.m.